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Aluminum Panel is Mottled after sanding, buffing, waxing

Q. Hi,

Question folks.

Aluminum panel. Brought through all the grits 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, 180, 220, 320, then maroon, gray, gold, white non-woven pads. Then finally waxed.

The surface is very smooth and nice, all done with a random orbital sander.

But there is this weird mottling, inconsistency to the surface. I don't understand the process here - mostly a woodworker.

61675-1a 61675-1b

Please advise.

Pictures make it look a bit worse than it is.

I am able to get it really perfect on smaller pieces, but this inconsistency shows up on the larger pieces.

Thank you,

Rafi A.
- Berkeley, California
May 25, 2024

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